"Lord Sun, you may not know this, but your deeds and abilities have recently become widely known in the court and even throughout the capital."
Seeing that Sun Jian was not angry, Fu Hui began to explain the reason for his impulsiveness.
When he said this, the surrounding officials nodded in agreement.
"Yes! So do I."
"Yes, not only is Lord Sun's name widely known, but recently even folk songs have been sung in the capital city."
Hearing the compliments from everyone, Sun Jian felt helpless.
The news spread way too fast!
Could it be that someone is pushing things along to help him become famous quickly?
How come everyone else knows this, but he himself doesn't?
Folk songs?
Seeing that Sun Jian still did not react much, another official stepped forward from the crowd, stroked his thick beard, and said, "Lord Chu is right. I have also heard this folk song."
The song goes: "Sun Shidu of Hongnong County, a wise man sent down by Heaven, has witnessed my wisdom. He has defeated bandits and possesses unique medical skills. Wherever he goes, the people prosper."
"The folk songs reflect the voice of the people. This alone is enough to show that Reader Sun is a great man sent down by heaven. I am Li Hengzhi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. I have met Reader Sun."
Sun Jian gave a forced smile and returned the greeting perfunctorily.
It's not hard to tell from the information these officials have given me that everyone knows about my affairs.
He invented military equipment, crops and tools, cleverly defeated bandits, and saved Madam Wang's life.
He copied a poem titled "Prelude to Water Melody," and even the fact that he had broken Li Mu's ribs became known...
hiss!
Thinking of this, Sun Jian gasped.
For a moment, I didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse.
The key issue is that the speed and content of this spread are terrifying; it's possible that someone is deliberately using this to cause harm.
Fortunately, Sun Jian's small workshop has only just begun, and this clue has not yet been leaked.
Besides that, his previous conversation with the old emperor at Juedelou was also kept secret.
Sun Jian composed himself, sighed softly, and feigned humility, saying, "You gentlemen are too kind. I am a junior, and I will need your guidance and support in the future."
Fu Hui waved his hand, "Not at all!"
“Master Sun is exceptional in both literary and military arts, and his intelligence is unparalleled. We should learn more from him in the future.”
"Yes! Lord Sun is highly valued by His Majesty and possesses great talent. We look forward to your continued guidance in the future."
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the officials, Sun Jian realized that the highest-ranking official among those who flattered him was only the fourth rank.
Moreover, most of them wielded almost no real power.
Most of the officials with real power, or those of the fourth rank or above, were drinking tea in the elegant seats inside the hall, completely ignoring Sun Jian. Only a few of them, when they saw Sun Jian and their eyes met, merely nodded and smiled in acknowledgment.
The stark contrast between the quiet desolation inside the hall and the lively, flattering atmosphere outside was striking.
If others don't greet you, Sun Jian won't bother to go out of his way to greet them.
Throughout history, the imperial court has never lacked talented and wise people, but without exception, for every person who admires and cherishes them, there is just as many who are jealous and hateful.
Sun Jian immediately recognized the ministers sitting in the front row of chairs in the hall.
Among them was Wei Xian, the Minister of War.
He had prominent brow bones, very light eyebrows, eyes narrowed to slits, a somewhat sunken face, and a tuft of white beard on his chin. He wasn't exactly a monkey-faced, but he was close enough.
Judging from his appearance, one can tell that this person is decisive and ruthless.
Enemies meeting are bound to be filled with hatred, and Sun Jian clenched his fists involuntarily when he thought of the many villagers who had followed him and whose bodies had been left to rot in the wilderness.
But now was not the time to dwell on it, so Sun Jian could only suppress his hatred and settle these scores later.
Through the introduction of his devoted admirer Fu Hui, Sun Jian got to know many court officials.
They all held Sun Jian in the highest esteem, and the generals discussed with him when to spar and when to drink.
The civil officials consulted Sun Jian about poetry and agriculture, and several officials even composed a poem in person, hoping that Sun Jian would comment on it.
Sun Jian could only brush it off with words like "we'll meet again sometime in the future" or similar responses.
The time for the morning court session arrived quickly. With a clear bell ringing, a eunuch announced, "The morning court session has begun; all officials, please proceed to court."
The crowd surged into the imperial court.
Upon entering the court, Sun Jian finally saw many familiar figures in the front row.
Inside the Golden Throne Hall of the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Emperor Ganwu wore a purple-gold imperial crown and a yellow five-clawed dragon robe. He sat high in the center, exuding an aura of dominance and unassailable imperial power.
His Highness and his ministers stood on both sides, with Crown Prince Li Gancheng at the head, followed by the Second Prince Li Chengru, then Prime Minister Lin Xuanfu, and the other two Grand Secretaries, with the Ministers of the Six Ministries following closely behind.
They are arranged in order of rank and whether they are civil or military officials.
Sun Jian, an insignificant tutor, stood in the last row.
After all the officials paid their respects to the emperor, the morning court session began, and the six ministers took turns sending people to report on the progress of their respective regions and policies.
After the report was completed, Emperor Ganwu dealt with each issue in person.
In fact, the emperor had already annotated most of the matters in the memorials, so the morning court was just a formality to hear the results, give some direction, and go through the motions.
After the six departments finished their reports, the session led by Wang De began.
Wang De waved his whisk and said loudly, "Those with matters to report, speak up; those without, leave the court!"
"Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Xiong Juzheng strode out from among the civil officials, knelt on the ground, and held a thick stack of memorials in his hand.
When Xiong Juzheng was about to present his memorial, everyone present was surprised, and the most surprised were Sun Jian and Wei Xian.
Since Xiong Juzheng was summoned away by the emperor before the morning court session, Wei Xian and Sun Jian both knew that the case had made progress.
Before the morning court session, in a side hall, several ministers from the Imperial Study and several important officials were probably already aware of the matter. Bringing it up to the main hall now was simply to share it with the other officials.
"What is it you wish to report, Xiong Aiqing?"
Emperor Ganwu asked in a loud voice.
Wang De was very perceptive and signaled to the eunuch beside him to quickly hand over the memorial in Xiong Juzheng's hands.
"Your Majesty, I have been ordered to investigate the case of Sun Shidu being framed and murdered. There has been some progress so far, and I am writing to report this."
Upon hearing Xiong Juzheng's words, the assembled officials exchanged bewildered glances.
They've heard the name Sun Jian so many times lately that they're practically sick of it.
He was a poet, an inventor of new crops, an inventor of military weapons, a master of medicine, and a master of both literature and martial arts...
However, the public knew very little about the fact that Sun Jian had been framed.
Most people only know that Sun Jian was nearly killed in an assassination attempt on his way back to the capital. Even Liu, the Imperial Envoy of the Hanlin Academy, and many others died at the hands of the assassins. The deputy chief eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial was also implicated. As for the specific details and the subsequent framing, only a small number of people know them.
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